The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
A doubter once demanded that punishment be immediately meted out, 1 The Unbelievers, the which there is none to ward off,- 2 a chastisement from Allah, the Lord of the ascending steps, 3 The angels and the spirit ascend unto him in a Day the measure whereof is (as) fifty thousand years: 4 (Muhammad), exercise patience with no complaints. 5 They deem it to be remote. 6 But We see it (quite) near. 7 The day when the sky will be like molten silver. 8 and the mountains become like wool, 9 And friend shall not ask of friend 10 Though they shall be made to see one another. Fain would the guilty ransom himself from the torment of that Day by his children. 11 And his spouse and his brother. 12 And the family in which he was. 13 and all those on earth. 14 Never! That is indeed a blazing fire. 15 A remover of exteriors. 16 It invites he who turned his back [on truth] and went away [from obedience] 17 And accumulated wealth and hoarded it. 18 ۞ Surely man is created of a hasty temperament 19 [As a rule,] whenever misfortune touches him, he is filled with self-pity; 20 And when good toucheth him he is begrudging. 21 Except those who pray, 22 who are steadfast in prayer; 23 And those in whose riches is a known right. 24 for the beggar and the outcast, 25 And those who believe in the Day of Recompense, 26 and fear the chastisement of their Lord – 27 Indeed the punishment of their Lord is not a thing to be unafraid of! 28 and guard their private parts 29 Except with their wives and the (captives) whom their right hands possess,- for (then) they are not to be blamed, 30 but any who seeks to go beyond that, it is indeed they who are the transgressors, 31 And those who protect the property entrusted to them, and their agreements. 32 and who stand firm whenever they bear witness; 33 And those who keep a guard on their prayer, 34 These will dwell in Gardens, honoured. 35